Getting on the same page

For landowners that live off of the property or for those that are unfamiliar with agriculture, it is important to learn about your renter’s farming practices and determine what kind of investments he or she is making into your property. Keep in mind that the biggest rent cheque to you does not necessarily mean the biggest investment in your soil. Best management for the soil includes manure application, leaving residue in top of the ground, planting wheat and cover crops or going no-till … and all of this costs the farmer more than you might think. A sustainable rental rate will factor in the amount of investment a renter is putting into the soil, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Getting on the same page Click here to download and print a discussion sheet to bring to your next meeting. Going through this check-list will cover off some of the most important points when it comes to farmland management:

• Cropping  ( tillage , timing, crop rotation , cover crops , residue )
• Inputs ( fertilizer source, rate, timing & placement, pesticides)
• Structures (tile drainage , windbreak , erosion control)
• Measuring Success ( soil sampling , yield maps)